Local officer faces 40 count indictment

Officer Mike Garn was placed on administrative leave on Nov. 26, 2014 after allegations of misconduct were uncovered by fellow officers and then reported to the police administration.

Mansfield detectives were assigned to follow up on the allegations. Upon completion of the investigation, multiple charges were submitted to the Richland County Prosecutor's Office for review by the February Grand Jury session.

The list of charges against Garn include burglary, tampering with evidence, attempted abduction, sexual battery, menacing by stalking, dereliction of duty, public indecency and unauthorized use of the Ohio law enforcement gateway, which is an electronic information network used by police.

Smollett reported being beaten up by two men who shouted racist and anti-gay slurs and threw bleach on him. But his story fell apart when actors Smollett knew from the "Empire" set and the gym told police that Smollett paid them $3,500 to stage the attack.